Despite the Union Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) consistently denying any wrongdoing in the NEET Exam 2024, the scandal surrounding the alleged paper leak has intensified with new confessions.
Anurag Yadav, a student from the prestigious Allen Institute in Kota, has confessed to his involvement in the leak, putting the future of lakhs of students in jeopardy. The leaked NEET paper was reportedly sold for Rs 30 to 32 lakh, including the answers, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the examination process.
Authorities in Bihar have arrested four individuals at the center of the controversy: Anurag Yadav, Nitish Kumar, Amit Anand, and Sikandar Yadavendu, a junior engineer at the Danapur municipal council. These arrests followed the suspects’ admissions of acquiring and memorising the leaked question paper, casting a significant shadow over the NEET-UG 2024 examination. Amit Anand, identified as the mastermind behind the scheme, made shocking revelations during interrogation.
He confessed to orchestrating the leak and disclosed that candidates were charged an exorbitant sum of Rs 30 to 32 lakh for access to the leaked paper along with answers. This revelation has sparked widespread outrage and calls for the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024, fueling protests across the nation. Anurag Yadav’s confession has brought to light a significant breach in the examination process, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the NEET system. According to his statement, Yadav received the leaked exam papers through his uncle, Sikandar Yadavendu.
He was handed the NEET question paper and answer sheet, which he memorised overnight. Yadav disclosed that the questions provided to him matched those in the actual exam held at DY Patil School, underscoring the extent of the leak. Despite the NTA’s consistent denials of any paper leak, Yadav’s confession has intensified scrutiny on the examination process. His case highlights the depth of the scandal and the vulnerabilities within the NEET system.
The Union government and NTA have maintained their stance of denying any wrongdoing, but Yadav’s admission lends significant weight to the allegations, sparking widespread concern and calls for stringent measures to prevent such breaches in the future. Further investigations unearthed burnt remnants of the question paper and answer sheet at Anand’s residence, serving as substantial evidence against him. Anand also disclosed his involvement in prior leaks, shedding light on entrenched corruption within the examination system. Anurag Yadav’s arrest, tied to discrepancies in results, underscores the pervasive impact of the leak. Yadav admitted that the leaked paper he obtained mirrored the actual exam paper, intensifying concerns about the examination’s fairness.
All four individuals confessed to receiving the question paper a day before the exam and using it to memorise the answers. They asserted that the questions they had learned were identical to those in the exam the following day. Responding to the outcry, the Union Education Ministry has demanded a comprehensive report from the Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit regarding the irregularities in the NEET exam. The government remains resolute in preserving the sanctity of the examination process and safeguarding students’ interests.
The NEET UG exam, conducted on May 5, witnessed approximately 24 lakh candidates participating. Initially slated for announcement on June 14, the results were expedited and declared on June 4 following swift evaluation of answer sheets. In a significant move, the Centre recently annulled the University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test, conducted for the post of assistant professor in universities and colleges, citing potential compromise in examination integrity.
